We respect the physical performance of our athletes, but the members of our marching band don't get the credit they deserve. I enjoy volunteering with the TUMB and had the pleasure of working the Olympia parade in Covington with the band a couple nights ago. I'm only a waterboy who keeps the band members hydrated, provides granola bars, helps with crowd crontrol and throws doubloons. After the brisk 6-7 mile march, I was pretty tired. I was more than impressed by these kids who carry tubas, drums and other heavy instruments and somehow are able to dance for most of the route when they're not performing. Unbelievable! They are extraordinarily talented kids and were all smart enough to get into Tulane, so what's not to like?

Give credit to Barry Spanier (director of bands) who has administered the creation of such a great group of Tulane ambassadors. Our band was dissolved in the 1970s around the same time that Tulane Stadium was demolished. Barry joined Tulane in 2005, survived Katrina and has rebuilt the band from a handful of volunteers to the current group of 100 musician-scholars. He has a long list of credentials including directing the largest marching band in history (2000 musicians from 23 nations at the summer Olympics in Sydney). He's an accomplished musician in his own right and has performed with Maynard Ferguson and other musical giants.

Next up for the band is Rex on Tuesday (Mardi Gras day). Rain chances are down to 20% so it should be a great day to enjoy Mardi Gras and support the band. Wear something Tulaneish and I'll throw you an official TUMB doubloon.

BTW, on the road trip to the Olympia parade, I was forced to ride the bus with the dance team and cheerleaders. It was a cruel and thankless assignment, but I am always willing to make sacrifices for Tulane.

golfnut69 wrote:it is amazing how much time they put into practice, for so little "air" time on game day...there have been times, in the past, I wished the "players" were as dedicated as the Band Members....

golfnut69 wrote:it is amazing how much time they put into practice, for so little "air" time on game day...there have been times, in the past, I wished the "players" were as dedicated as the Band Members....

I wish the administration was as well.

I totally agree with you !!!

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There are no greater ambassadors for Tulane than our marching band. Last night was the first parade of the Mardi Gras season and we bussed over to Slidell for Poseidon.

Think these kids aren't athletes? They started their stretching and warmups a little after 5pm. The parade kicked off at 6. They proceeded to march 5 miles while carrying heavy instruments, dancing, high-kicking and playing a number of songs. I can't guess how many gallons of water they consumed before we got to the disbanding area at 10:30. Every kid along the parade route that stuck out a hand got a smile and high-fives from the band members.. So many times I heard comments such as: "Wow...these guys are really good", "that's Tulane!", and "thank you for coming to our parade!" You can't help but take pride in our university, our band, and each of these kids.

Oh yeah. All this with no place to pee. There's that.

The band is still looking for a couple more volunteers for Rex, and for Krewe of Ponchartrain. Responsibilities are simple: carry water bottles and keep everyone hydrated, answer a lot of questions to parade goers, and throw a few beads. If you're a Tulane alumnus, in moderately good physical condition, can avoid excessive micturition for several hours and wish to help, here's a website: http://www.tulaneband.org/news/mardigras2019

Afterward, you'll feel selfish for having taken the opportunity. I promise you'll want to do it again.